I've been using Samsung's Galaxy Note 8.0 for the past week or so, and it is hands-down one of the best tablets I've ever used. The form factor is great, and the S Pen adds some really useful functionality to this little beast. If you're looking for a new tablet in a smaller-than-ten-inches form factor, I readily recommend this one.

And once you've decided to pull the trigger and buy one, you may want a quick and easy way to gain root access, flash a recovery, make a backup, and all that other fun stuff that so many Android users like to do.

Android's navigation soft keys have proven to be a hit with many users, despite the fact that some manufacturers refuse to utilize them. As nifty as they may be, however, they get kind of boring to look at after a while. And, of course, most Android users love to tinker with things to make them look however they want. Up until now, though, there hasn't been an easy way to add a little flare to them.

Yesterday we covered an app that lets rooted users tweak certain aspects of the system, so why not one that'll let you tweak it aesthetically, too? Icon Themer, a new app from developer Faruq Rasid (HelixLauncher, QuickDesk), aims to bring any icon pack to any custom launcher. That's a pretty big deal for those who've bought icon packs for specific launchers but have since started using something different, or those who feel tied down to a particular launcher because of a beloved theme that won't work with others.

One of the best things about Android is its nearly-infinite customizability for users who are willing to put in the effort it takes to make it happen. The thing is, in order to get some of this functionality, less-than-savvy users are daunted by the task of doing things like flashing custom kernels. On the other side, some users just don't want to be troubled with kernel tweaks, but still want the advanced functionality that they can bring.

If you've tried as many apps and games as we have, you've probably come across one or two that were great... with the exception of annoying, vaguely spammy notification alerts. Starting with Jelly Bean 4.1, there's a simple and somewhat obscure solution: check the App Info menu to disable notifications. But that can get tedious, especially if you're setting up a new device. Developer Giorgi Dalakishvii has created a more elegant solution, which puts notification settings for all your apps in one handy place.

Getting your Android display output shared to a larger screen is usually a pain in the butt. You can fiddle with HDMI cables on some devices, rely on sluggish apps, or just wash your hands of the whole thing. But wait, recognized XDA developer and CyanogenMod associate XpLoDWilD and recognized XDA developer nebkat have released BBQScreen. This is a root app that blasts your live Android interface up to a computer over WiFi, Bluetooth, or USB.

Okay, so this app isn't "new" in the traditional sense of the word, but it's kind of new and very cool. Full!screen lets you hide the system navigation bar and notification area on your Android phone or tablet so you can use that space for apps and games in full screen mode. It's not just crashing your system UI, though. Full!screen places minimalist replacement buttons tucked away in the corners.

Full!screen has a ton of settings that allow you control every aspect of your device's navigation behavior.

From time to time, we like to dive into the murky depths of the Play Store and see what cool root-only apps we can dredge up. If you went to the trouble of rooting your phone, you'll want the best root apps to take advantage of all that freedom. That's just what we have here, the best root apps carefully chosen as must-have additions to your arsenal.

Read on for eight more killer root apps that change the flow of time, liberate your music, test your network, and more.